Hot summer weather can be tough on large format printers. Whether you're running eco-solvent, solvent, UV, latex, or aqueous devices, excessive heat and poor environmental control can lead to color shifts, nozzle issues, media problems, and costly downtime.
The good news? A few proactive steps — and the right equipment and support — can keep your printer running consistently through the hottest months of the year. At Alder Color Solutions, we've spent nearly 30 years helping Northwest print shops stay up and running. Here's what we know works.
1. Control the Environment First
Most printer problems blamed on the machine are actually caused by the environment around it. Here are the target ranges to hold:
Factor
Target range
Temperature
68°F–80°F (20°C–27°C), stable throughout the day
Relative humidity
40%–60%
Monitor temperature
Check your manufacturer's recommended operating range and stay within it. Avoid rapid temperature swings — a room that hits 90°F in the afternoon can stress your printer even if it started at 72°F.
Control humidity
A target range of 40%–60% relative humidity works well for most print environments. Here's what happens outside that range:
Too low (under ~40%)
Too high (over ~60%)
Static electricity, ink misting, media feeding issues, dust attraction
Media expansion, registration issues, longer drying times, lamination problems
Measure, don't guess
Install environmental monitors near your printers, media storage areas, and finishing equipment. Many shops are surprised to discover significant differences between areas of the same facility.
2. Protect Your Media
Media is often more sensitive to environmental conditions than the printer itself.
Return partially used rolls to their packaging; use end caps when available
Never store media near windows, exterior walls, or under skylights — even indirect sunlight raises roll temperatures dramatically
Acclimate media to your print room for at least 24 hours before use to reduce registration and dimensional stability issues
3. Pay Attention to Ink Storage
Summer heat can shorten ink life and impact performance. Most inks should be stored in climate-controlled areas, away from direct sunlight, and within the manufacturer's specified temperature range. Avoid storing ink in warehouses without climate control, vehicles, or near heaters or windows.
Use a first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory rotation system — during hot weather, inventory management becomes even more critical.
4. Run Maintenance More Frequently
Higher temperatures accelerate ink drying around printheads. During extreme heat:
Run nozzle checks more frequently and address missing nozzles immediately
Inspect and clean caps, wipers, flushing areas, and maintenance stations regularly
Small nozzle problems become major cleaning events if ignored — don't let minor issues accumulate
5. Watch for Color Drift
Many shops experience color drift during summer months without realizing that temperature and humidity changes are the root cause. Human perception also changes with viewing conditions — don't rely on visual checks alone.
Using a spectrophotometer and a color quality control system allows you to detect shifts before customers notice them. Alder offers G7 calibration, ChromaChecker Color Conformance monitoring, and 24/7 remote color tracking — so you're never flying blind.
6. If the Printer Will Sit Idle
Vacation schedules and seasonal slowdowns can leave equipment unused for extended periods. Before extended downtime:
Perform manufacturer-recommended maintenance and run nozzle checks
Verify capping station function and ensure adequate humidity levels remain in the facility
Never shut down HVAC systems completely to save money — the resulting heat buildup can damage media, degrade ink, increase printhead maintenance, and cause condensation issues when cooling restarts. The cost of recovery almost always exceeds the energy savings.
Alder Color Solutions: Your Wide Format Partner
For nearly 30 years, Alder has been the Northwest's go-to source for wide format printing equipment, color management, inks, media, and expert support. We carry Epson, Mimaki, Mutoh, and Audley printer lines — and we back every sale with certified training, remote support, and G7 color expertise.
Our services include:
Remote Support via TeamViewer — troubleshoot color, RIP, and software issues without waiting for an on-site visit
G7 Calibration & ChromaChecker Color Conformance Monitoring — catch color drift before your customers do
Remote Visual Press Check — eliminate in-person press checks with accurate virtual proofing
Certified Training — G7 Expert, ONYX, PrintFactory, EFI Fiery, and more
Equipment Sales — Epson, Mimaki, Mutoh, and Audley wide format printers for every application
Large format printers perform best when their environment remains stable. Focus on controlling temperature, humidity, media storage, ink handling, and preventive maintenance. A small investment in environmental monitoring can prevent costly downtime, wasted materials, and color consistency issues throughout the summer months.
If you're seeing unexplained color shifts, calibration issues, or print quality problems during hot weather, the environment is often the first place to investigate — and Alder is the first call to make.
Schedule a Consultation
Contact Bill Owen for personalized guidance on color control, printer calibration, environmental best practices, or building a proactive color management program. billo@aldertech.com — 720-933-4413
